Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Clinton Township will sponsor an informational presentation on Michigan's new medical marijuana laws on Tuesday evening at Macomb Community College Center Campus.
Three local experts will be part of the program, which concludes with comments from the public.
"We've had a committee meeting for months now studying the issue," township Supervisor Bob Cannon said. "This is the end point of our looking into this matter. Our presenters will discuss the topic in a non-biased way."
The committee is made up of Cannon, along with Clerk Kim Meltzer, Planning Director Carlo Santia, Treasurer Paul Gieleghem and Jack Dolan, the township attorney.
Speakers include:
- Dr. Saqib Nakadar, an internal medicine specialist.
- Justin Dunaskiss, a lobbyist from Dunaskiss Consulting Development.
- Jeffrey Schroder, a former assistant Michigan Attorney General, now with the law firm Plunkett Cooney.
Cannon stressed the forum is not meant to advocate recreational marijuana use; only to gain information about the state's new laws, which goes into effect Dec. 15.
Community leaders must decide before Dec. 15 how many medical marijuana dispensaries they want and where they want to place them.
"We felt a community public forum is the best way to go to allow us to hear what our residents have to say as we begin to prepare our local ordinance," Santia said.
Michigan voters in 2008 approved the state's original medical marijuana law, which allows caregivers to grow up to 12 plants for each of six medical marijuana cardholders.
Currently, there are 262,000 people who have received medical marijuana cards, according to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. There are about 24,600 patients in Macomb County, compared to 30,400 in Oakland County and 43,200 in Wayne County.
The state Legislature last year approved a law that regulates and taxes the industry. The law also created five categories of licenses: Growers who can produce up to 1,500 plants; processors; transporters; testing facilities; and dispensaries. Dispensaries will be taxed 3 percent on gross receipts, with the money allocated to state and local communities.
License applications for the five categories will be available starting Dec. 15. The Michigan Medical Marijuana Licensing Board will begin issuing licenses in early 2018 following extensive background checks on potential business owners.
"The minute a property is zoned as a medical marijuana land, the property value goes up between two and 10 times what it's now worth," Cannon said. "That's the hottest ticket around." Cities, villages and townships in Michigan have to decide on whether to opt in or out of the medical marijuana industry.
Township trustees may be in attendance at Tuesday's forum, but the event is not a Board of Trustees meeting. It will be videotaped for future showings.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Clinton Township to host informational session on medical marijuana
Author: Mitch Hotts
Contact: Contact Us
Photo Credit: Eric Lacy
Website: The Macomb Daily: Breaking News, Sports, Business, Entertainment & Macomb County News
Three local experts will be part of the program, which concludes with comments from the public.
"We've had a committee meeting for months now studying the issue," township Supervisor Bob Cannon said. "This is the end point of our looking into this matter. Our presenters will discuss the topic in a non-biased way."
The committee is made up of Cannon, along with Clerk Kim Meltzer, Planning Director Carlo Santia, Treasurer Paul Gieleghem and Jack Dolan, the township attorney.
Speakers include:
- Dr. Saqib Nakadar, an internal medicine specialist.
- Justin Dunaskiss, a lobbyist from Dunaskiss Consulting Development.
- Jeffrey Schroder, a former assistant Michigan Attorney General, now with the law firm Plunkett Cooney.
Cannon stressed the forum is not meant to advocate recreational marijuana use; only to gain information about the state's new laws, which goes into effect Dec. 15.
Community leaders must decide before Dec. 15 how many medical marijuana dispensaries they want and where they want to place them.
"We felt a community public forum is the best way to go to allow us to hear what our residents have to say as we begin to prepare our local ordinance," Santia said.
Michigan voters in 2008 approved the state's original medical marijuana law, which allows caregivers to grow up to 12 plants for each of six medical marijuana cardholders.
Currently, there are 262,000 people who have received medical marijuana cards, according to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. There are about 24,600 patients in Macomb County, compared to 30,400 in Oakland County and 43,200 in Wayne County.
The state Legislature last year approved a law that regulates and taxes the industry. The law also created five categories of licenses: Growers who can produce up to 1,500 plants; processors; transporters; testing facilities; and dispensaries. Dispensaries will be taxed 3 percent on gross receipts, with the money allocated to state and local communities.
License applications for the five categories will be available starting Dec. 15. The Michigan Medical Marijuana Licensing Board will begin issuing licenses in early 2018 following extensive background checks on potential business owners.
"The minute a property is zoned as a medical marijuana land, the property value goes up between two and 10 times what it's now worth," Cannon said. "That's the hottest ticket around." Cities, villages and townships in Michigan have to decide on whether to opt in or out of the medical marijuana industry.
Township trustees may be in attendance at Tuesday's forum, but the event is not a Board of Trustees meeting. It will be videotaped for future showings.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Clinton Township to host informational session on medical marijuana
Author: Mitch Hotts
Contact: Contact Us
Photo Credit: Eric Lacy
Website: The Macomb Daily: Breaking News, Sports, Business, Entertainment & Macomb County News
